Loading patent…
AssigneeUniversity of Tennessee Research Foundation
InventorsJ. Douglas Birdwell, Mark E. Dean, Catherine Schuman
Estimating the term…
A digital circuit element of a two dimensional dynamic adaptive neural network array (DANNA) may comprise a neuron/synapse select input functional to select the digital circuit element to function as one of a neuron and a synapse. In one embodiment of a DANNA array of such digital circuit elements, a destination neuron may be connected to a first neuron by a first synapse in one dimension, a second destination neuron may be connected to the first neuron by a second synapse in a second dimension and, optionally, a third destination neuron may be connected to the first neuron by a third synapse thus forming multiple levels of neuron and synapse digital circuit elements. In one embodiment, multiples of eight inputs may be selectively received by the digital circuit element selectively functioning as one of a neuron and a synapse. The dynamic adaptive neural network array (DANNA) may implement long-term potentiation or depression to facilitate learning through the use of an affective system and random selection of input events.
Apparatus for a neuromorphic network comprising an artificial neural network, the artificial neural network comprising a multi-dimensional array of interconnected circuit elements, each circuit element having similar components to one another selectively representing, under special purpose program control, one of a neuron and a synapse, at least one circuit element of the array selectively representing an input neuron, at least one circuit element of the array selectively representing an output synapse having a weight and, under program control, one to multiple circuit elements of the array selectively representing a neuron or a synapse connected between the input neuron and the output synapse, the apparatus including a state machine for one of incrementing and decrementing a synaptic weight according to the firing of a source neuron.
The apparatus of claiml wherein at least one circuit element contains an analog electronic device.
A method for providing long-term potentiation and depression in a neuromorphic network comprising an artificial neural network, the artificial neural network comprising a multi-dimensional array of interconnected circuit elements, each circuit element having similar components to one another selectively representing, under special purpose program control, one of a neuron and a synapse, at least one circuit element of the array selectively representing an input neuron, at least one circuit element of the array selectively representing an output synapse having a weight and, under program control, one to multiple circuit elements of the array selectively representing a neuron or a synapse connected between the input neuron and the output synapse, the method comprising one of incrementing and decrementing a synaptic weight according to the firing of a neuron that receives an output of a connected synapse.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.